Russia Invites Ambassadors to Visit Exhibition of Western Equipment Captured in Ukraine

Russia has mocked ambassadors of western nations by inviting them to visit an exhibition of captured military equipment whose display opened in Moscow on Wednesday.

The exhibition, organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, was unveiled at a World War II memorial venue. Located on Poklonnaya Hill in western Moscow, it features prominent items like the U.S.-made M1 Abrams battle tank, a Bradley armored fighting vehicle, a German Leopard 2 tank, and a French AMX-10RC armored vehicle. Also included are firearms, military papers, and various documents. The display, which will remain open for a month, aims to highlight Russia's military achievements and underscore Moscow's stance against Western interference in its sphere of influence.

A bold banner at the exhibition entrance read, "Employees of the embassies of the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, and Poland are given priority access to inspect captured equipment of NATO countries.”

According to Andrey Lyubchikov, a senior researcher at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the total value of the captured weapons and equipment on display is estimated to be in the billions of dollars.

The timing of this exhibition is particularly pointed, coinciding with Russia's recent gains in eastern Ukraine amid delays in U.S. military assistance to Ukrainian forces. Russian authorities have criticized Western military aid to Ukraine as evidence of NATO's interference in the conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the significance of the exhibition, stating, "We should all see the enemy’s battered equipment," suggesting that the event is intended to showcase Russian military prowess and resilience in the face of Western opposition.